Pattern of Substance Use Among Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Personnell at Sam Ethanan Air Force Base, Ikeja-Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract:

Objective:
The study examined the pattern of Substance Use among the Nigerian Air Force
Personnel.

Method:
All the participants were airforce personnel. Officers and Men were randomly selected
(N=250) and each subject was assessed using; 1) a Health Questionnaire {that
assessed socio-demographic variables as well as the pattern of use and
consumption of liquor), 2) Alcohol and drug sections of the Schedule for
Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN), and the 28 – item General Health
Questionnaire (GHQ -28). The personnel were informed that completion and
returning the questionnaires would indicate consent to participate in the
research.

Results:
One hundred and ninety males and sixty females comprising officers and men
participated. The mean age of the group was 30.9 years, with a range of 21 – 44
years; SD 4.35. One hundred and eight (42.6 percent) were 20 – 29 years, while
one hundred and thirty (52 percent) were 30 – 39 years, and Twelve (5.4
percent) were 40 and above years. The difference in mean age between officers
and men was not statistically significant following analysis of variance
(ANOVA), F=2.59, P=0.148. The most commonly used substances were mild
stimulants (coffee and kolanuts), alcohol, cigarette, cannabis, and
hypnosadatives in that order. About the same trend was observed for the
lifetime use. As many as 158 (63.3 %) of the respondents were current users of
alcohol and almost everyone in the sample 92% have used alcohol in their
lifetime. Fifteen 6% of the respondents were currently using cannabis, while
18.7% were lifetime users. Disorders were recorded for past year (ie criteria
met within the previous 12 months) and lifetime (ever met criteria) using SCAN.
Overall, 21 (8.3%) and 6 (2.3%) of the respondents DSM 1V diagnostic criteria
for alcohol abuse and dependence respectively in the past year; Eleven (4.7%)
and 13 (5.3%)met the criteria for nicotine abuse and dependence respectively in
the past year; 10 (4.0%) and 3 (1.0%)met the criteria for cannabis abuse and
dependence respectively in the past year. A total of 42 respondents (16.8%)
scored eight and above on the GHQ-28 scale. Thus the probable psychiatric
morbidity rate for the cohort was about 17%.